The History of Coffee in Suriname: South America’s First Plantings

When you’re tracing the roots of coffee in South America, Suriname isn’t the first name that comes to mind—but it should be. This small country on the northeastern coast was actually the continent’s very first coffee producer, with plantings dating back to the early 1700s. Yet today, you’ll find no commercial coffee farms there. What happened? The story involves pirates, political deals, and a surprising spread into neighboring colonies.

Yes, Suriname—then known as Dutch Guiana—was the first place in South America to grow coffee, starting in the early 1700s. But by now, coffee production has completely ceased. The country’s historical role is notable mainly for how coffee first arrived in the region, not for any ongoing output.

How Coffee First Came to Suriname

The story begins in the 1660s, when the Dutch settled in what is now Suriname. But coffee didn’t arrive immediately. It wasn’t until the early 1700s that coffee plants made their way from Java to this part of South America. According to historical accounts, the first coffee trees were a gift from the mayor of Amsterdam to a Flemish pirate known as Hansback. These trees were planted in what was then Dutch Guiana. A few years later, coffee cultivation spread into nearby French Guiana.

The spread into French territory was driven by an unlikely coffee ambassador: a French convict named Mourgues. He was reportedly offered amnesty and free movement within France in exchange for successfully introducing coffee to the French colony. He fulfilled the terms—and French Guiana soon had coffee trees of its own.

Where Coffee Was Grown in Suriname

The earliest coffee plantings took place in the region then known as Dutch Guiana, covering parts of modern-day Suriname. From there, cultivation quickly moved into neighboring French Guiana. There’s no detailed documentation on specific farms, altitudes, or processing methods used at the time, but the initial spread occurred over just a few years in the early 18th century.

What Happened to Suriname’s Coffee Industry?

Today, Suriname no longer produces coffee. While it was the pioneer in South American coffee cultivation, the industry did not last. Historical records don’t specify exactly when production stopped, but by modern times, the country has no significant coffee output. The climate and geography could have supported it, but other economic priorities and historical shifts led to its disappearance.

Suriname Coffee in Global Trade

Norway was once the main importer of Suriname’s coffee, reflecting its minor but real role in 18th- and 19th-century trade. However, the quantities were always small, and today, the country’s coffee production is negligible. Any mention of Suriname coffee today is purely historical—it serves as an interesting footnote in the story of how coffee spread through the Americas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Suriname really the first place in South America to grow coffee?

Yes. Historical records confirm that coffee was first planted in Suriname (then Dutch Guiana) in the early 1700s, making it the first South American country to cultivate coffee. The plants were brought from Java and gifted to a Flemish pirate by the mayor of Amsterdam.

Where exactly in Suriname was coffee grown?

The earliest coffee plantings were in what was then Dutch Guiana, in areas that are now part of modern Suriname. The exact farms or regions aren’t specified in surviving records, but the coffee spread to nearby French Guiana within a few years.

Why did Suriname stop growing coffee?

The reasons aren’t documented in detail, but Suriname’s coffee production declined and eventually ceased entirely. By modern times, the country no longer produces coffee commercially. Economic shifts and other agricultural priorities likely contributed to its disappearance.

Did coffee from Suriname ever make it to Europe?

While the country did produce coffee, there’s no strong evidence that it became a major exporter to Europe. Norway was the main documented importer, but volumes were small. Most of the coffee’s significance lies in its historical introduction to the continent, not in global trade.

Is Suriname coffee still available today?

No. Suriname no longer produces coffee, so there is no current commercial output. Any coffee historically grown there has long since disappeared from the market. It is now only of historical interest.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Historic Origins

To explore the broader history of coffee in South America, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon, floral and sweet with heavy peanut and creamy notes) or Brazil (Red Bourbon, balanced and easy-drinking). For contrast, the Colombia Huila offers a classic ‘hard bean’ profile with chocolate and fruit—showcasing how other South American origins developed after Suriname’s early start. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.